News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Avoidance by Stefania | 3 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| spinster | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 5/4/2015 |
| You are BRILLIANT! This is the first time I have read anyone dealing with the volcanic output of Mount Doom. I have often wondered how the post Ring-War folks dealt with the 'volcanic winter' that the eruption caused. The West Wind of the Valar was a stroke of genius. Great story too. Thanks Author Reply: Gee, thank you. My dream is to write a story where Faramir, Eowyn, and other residents of Minas Tirith journey into Mordor five years after the big eruption. I've been fascinated with volcanoes, ever since my dad told me about Mt Vesuvius, which erupted while he was stationed in Italy during WWII. I have done easy hikes on Kilauea and Haleakala volcanoes in Hawaii, and Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen here in California. This January I finally got to see the three famous volcanoes of New Zealand. Yeah, these are the ones Peter Jackson used in LOTR and The Hobbit. Next fall I hope to finally see Mount St. Helens. So maybe I can finally show Faramir and Eowyn's reaction to the devastation of Mt. Doom close hand. | |
| Linda Hoyland | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 6/14/2006 |
| This was a very vivid desciption,maybe the best I have read of the sense of forebodeing and events in Minas Tirith as the Ring was destroyed. I loved Faramir's visions and the child talking about the "nasty gull" was a delightful touch. Author Reply: Oh, thank you, thank you, Linda. I feel especially complimented because your tales are perfect examples of how to keep a story moving and how to keep readers engaged. I'm glad Faz' visions worked for you. That's my Steff-only contribution, as I do my diligence in filling the holes of both book and movie canon. Here is something to share with all who look at reviews: This chapter was probably the easiest for me to write in all of my pokey "Avoidance." I was bit by a huge plot bunny right after seeing film ROTK for the first time in the theater. I really, really wanted to see Faramir and Eowyn in Minas Tirith cut into the action, along with Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and the rest, as the Ring is destroyed and Sauron overthrown. Of course, that was not to be. That night I couldn't sleep. My head spun with wild visions of F & E in the Fountain Court of Minas Tirith, as shown in the film, while all sorts of cloud and flame came hurling at them from Mordor. Finally, 2.5 years later, I got it down in words. | |
| Chibi-Kaz | Reviewed Chapter: 14 on 6/13/2006 |
| YAY! A CHAPTER! A CHAPTER! But not nearly long enough. ;p Just razzin' ya, since I'm practically holding my breath here for each update. (only practically -- and I don't hold you responsible for my hypoxia ;D ). Good stuff here, liked the use of the earthquake effects. Lemme know if you need data on Mt. St. Helens for more info -- my aunt was that 'crazy reporter' who was up on the mountain during the blow. I actually have a little baggie of ash from it. :-) Loved Eowyn's hoping for a real kiss. And of course, Faramir is far far to gentlemanly to take advantage of the moment. Thhhp on him! LOL! Good use of the movie and book-canon lines too, as well as Faramir's 'touch' with animals. I thought the last words of the Ring were a little weird, though, because I didn't think it would have made that much of a connection with Faramir, even with his Sight and the temptation in the movieverse. Maybe had that bit been a little more ominous, trying to drag down any and all it had touched, it would have worked better for me, but I didn't get quite enough sense of any danger to Faramir in that moment. Anyway, just some random feedback thoughts. So, please don't leave us agonizing for more, particularly since you've given us a touch of foreshadowing with Eowyn's admission of lust and "lives changed forever" comment!! Cheers, Chibi-kaz Author Reply: Hi Chibi-kaz - Your aunt was a reporter on Mt. Saint Helens when it burst. Holy mackarel. She's a brave one. Regarding the seismic stuff in this story, I've always been fascinated by volcanoes. I'm way less of a fan of earthquakes, though I'm less afraid of them, having lived through the Loma Prieta quake in 1989. The Ring's dissolving into the lava of Mt. Doom would not only bring down Sauron but also trigger a massive eruption. I really liked how this was done in the ROTK film. But how could people at a distance from the eruption know that it has happened--and thus know that Sauron's been overthrown. I took as my cue "The Steward and the King." Here Tolkien describes the great cloud that rises out of Mordor and threatens the West, only to be blown away by the west wind. So I had Mt. Doom launch a pyroclastic cloud, ala St. Helens or Penatubo. That way the folks in Minas Tirith would be sure to see, and be threatened by, the results. Sorry that the Ring's last words didn't make it for you. I did want to play up not only Faz' temptation but the temptation everyone heard from that very chatty Ring. If only I had a soundtrack to go along with the story. Anyway, feel free to raz. And thanks for your support. I'm following along with your stories on ffnet, too. - Steff | |